You can get a brand new Dell Win 10 solid drive laptop for $150 that also lets you use winlink, not much memory but if you are only using it for ham applications it works fine, that’s what I use as a dedicated ham laptop. 73 de Jose Douglas KB1TCD
Sent from my iPad > On Jun 7, 2020, at 11:28 PM, Gwen Patton <[email protected]> wrote: > > I use an older Chromebook, Dave. I removed Chrome OS and replaced it with > GalliumOS, a Linux distro for Chromebooks. You can get an older model > Chromebook for really cheap these days, and that gives you a display, > battery, keyboard, trackpad, processor, and multiple digital mode apps, all > nicely self-contained. And you can use it for other things, too. The only > thing you'll have to add is a soundcard dongle, because the incredibly > stupid audio system in most Chromebooks is too braindead to work on digital > ham apps. Even a really fancy one will cost you only around $30, and there > are far cheaper ones that will do. That's the dongle, not the Chromebook. I > paid about $120 for this one about 5 years ago. I replaced the Chromebook > with a better, faster one with more RAM, a microSD slot that doesn't stick > half an inch out of the side of the machine, and USB-C. > > I've got WSJT-X and JS8Call on it already, some logging programs, and > things like Echolink. The MDS Phaser I use it with is set up for 40m FT8 > and JS8, but I can switch the JS8 to any frequency I want and run other > modes if I feel like it. Perhaps some Slow-Scan images, who knows? > > I've seen some very fancy Raspberry Pi builds for it, though, if you want > to go that route. You'd have to add a display, keyboard, mouse, and power. > OR you can set it up headless and run it with a tablet or even your phone > over a remote access program like VNC. But that adds even more expense > unless you already have the tablet or phone. I'd still recommend a wireless > keyboard, though. Typing on a phone or tablet can be a pain, and there's > some really nice Bluetooth keyboards out there now, even folding ones you > can stow really easily. > > I really like the Phaser. It's more challenging on FT8 than a full QRO > station, of course, and it's VERY packable. It makes a fantastic field rig > for working from parks, or probably for summit operation, though I don't do > that. There's few summits you can take a wheelchair to. hi hi > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > 73, > Gwen, NG3P > > >> On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 10:33 PM David Gilbert <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Thanks to Ray and Gwen for the tip, and that indeed looks like a really >> nice low cost way to go. But I already have a KX2 and I would still need >> to bring along a notebook or small laptop computer. I could certainly >> homebrew a combined unit consisting of the MDS Phasor, a Raspberry Pi, and >> a 12 volt display ... total cost would probably be less than $200. I just >> think that a self-contained unit would be inherently smaller, and probably >> a good seller if Elecraft ever was inclined to offer one, especially if it >> provided multiple bands. >> >> 73, >> Dave AB7E >> >> >>> On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 6:50 PM Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> My pleasure, Paul. Feel free to repost elsewhere. >>> >>> And keep on truckin' :) >>> >>> 73, >>> Wayne >>> N6KR >>> >>> >>>> On Jun 7, 2020, at 3:09 PM, Paul Gacek <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> Wayne >>>> >>>> Thanks for promoting wilderness radio including SOTA and I hope you >>> don’t mind but I copied your entire message into a post on the global >> SOTA >>> Reflector (watering hole). >>>> >>>> >>> >> https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/wayne-burdick-elecraft-promoting-sota-cw-and-ssb/22983 >>>> >>>> You captured the essence and feeling of mountain top radio. I love it >>> and never cease to get a kick out of what you describe around the moment >> of >>> the first contact (which includes a mountain of anticipation as to >> whether >>> there will be a first contact). >>>> >>>> Of my almost 250 mountain top activations and 40 or 50 NPOTA >>> activations, I had either my KX3 or KX2 and neither have ever let me >> down. >>> My antennas have failed, my coax has failed and my ability to spot (I’m >> SSB >>> so not RBN for me) has in a hollowing gale atop a cold mountain had be >>> retreat and fail but never the radio. >>>> >>>> Thanks Wayne (and your team) for all you have done for the /P brigade. >>>> >>>> Paul >>>> W6PNG/M0SNA >>>> www.nomadic.blog >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Jun 7, 2020, at 2:35 PM, David Gilbert <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I suggested this about a year ago and got mostly dismissive replies >> from >>>>> the group, but I still think that a small, dedicated FT8 rig (and >>> similar >>>>> modes) would be an attractive offering. Something the size of a KX2 >> or >>>>> maybe just a little larger, with a modest display and separate >>>>> processors/memory for the rig and the digital modes. It's entirely >>>>> possible to run FT8 from a Raspberry Pi and an inexpensive display, >> but >>> an >>>>> all-in-one rig would be so much more practical. The rig portion >> itself >>>>> could be MUCH simpler (and therefore less expensive) than a KX2. >>>>> >>>>> 73, >>>>> Dave AB7E >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 11:32 AM Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Every day, hams worldwide, young and old, summit mountains and hills >>>>>> carrying the lightest possible load. They earn every calorie burned, >>> and >>>>>> are rewarded with vistas most people never see. Like all adventurers, >>> they >>>>>> proudly display nature's merit badges: scrapes, bruises, and stings. >>>>>> >>>>>> And then they go back for more. The number of peaks "bagged" by some >>>>>> operators is staggering, as is their level of fitness and endurance. >>>>>> >>>>>> In addition to those formally pursuing peaks (via SOTA, or Summits on >>> the >>>>>> Air), there are many others who operate casually from hiking trails >> and >>>>>> parks. Some operate while they walk (pedestrian mobile, HT-style or >>>>>> HFpack). Some operate bicycle-mobile. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm writing this out of admiration for, and in solidarity with, all >> of >>>>>> those who commune equally with nature and the ionosphere. >>>>>> >>>>>> * * * >>>>>> >>>>>> There's one thing these hams have in common. >>>>>> >>>>>> Upon arriving at their destination -- tired, sweaty, hungry, elated, >> or >>>>>> some combination of these -- they hope to make a few QSOs. To >>> experience a >>>>>> synthesis of the outdoors and the radio art. >>>>>> >>>>>> But it isn't always easy. >>>>>> >>>>>> While many hams have transitioned to computer-based digital modes >> such >>> as >>>>>> FT8, others have not. This includes ultralight travelers, as well as >>> those >>>>>> who seek the satisfaction of home-building simple gear and putting it >>> on >>>>>> the air. >>>>>> >>>>>> For portable operators in particular, simplicity and pragmatics often >>>>>> dictate the use of CW and SSB. It may not be desirable or even >>> possible to >>>>>> lug a laptop in your pack, find a place to set it up, and attach its >>> myriad >>>>>> cables. You might struggle to see a washed-out LCD screen in direct >>>>>> sunlight. High winds might capture an open laptop and sweep your gear >>> away. >>>>>> >>>>>> Many, instead, choose traditional modes. These allow for small, >>> integrated >>>>>> gear that can often be hand-held. And there's the bonus of immediacy >>> such >>>>>> modes offer, without mediation, without constraints on duration or >>> content. >>>>>> >>>>>> To put yourself in their shoes, imagine that you just trekked several >>>>>> miles, much of it uphill. To accommodate the need for food, water, >>>>>> clothing, and safety gear, you've brought a minimum amount of radio >>>>>> equipment. It might be a 3-ounce CW QRP radio; an HF-VHF-UHF >> portable, >>> an >>>>>> all-band/all-mode HF HT (like a KX2), or your latest home-brew >>> transceiver. >>>>>> >>>>>> When you arrive at your peak, you survey the spot for a suitable >>> operating >>>>>> position. It might be a large, flat rock; a patch of ground not >>> infested >>>>>> with ants and spiders; or a shady spot with a downslope in a favored >>>>>> direction. You might climb a tree. Shelter beneath a ridge. Or dangle >>> your >>>>>> legs and antenna from a cliff. >>>>>> >>>>>> Speaking of which, deployment of antennas presents another challenge. >>> You >>>>>> could spin-cast or toss a wire, hoping for a good landing, without >>> snags. >>>>>> You might wedge the feet of a tripod into rocks, then attach a small >>>>>> magnetic loop. Or you might use a simple telescoping whip. >>>>>> >>>>>> All that effort. Now it's time to turn on the radio. >>>>>> >>>>>> Virtually every time I've gone on such an outing, I've made contacts. >>> At >>>>>> times I've been lucky. Maybe it's operating experience: knowing who >> to >>>>>> call. >>>>>> >>>>>> But sometimes there's no one around on CW or SSB. Is it propagation? >>> Or is >>>>>> everyone swimming in the digital sea, not paying attention to you, on >>> your >>>>>> remote island? >>>>>> >>>>>> You can spot yourself on RBN (reverse beacon network), or prearrange >>>>>> skeds. But what many of us hope for is that burst of contacts. >> Feeling >>> like >>>>>> a rare DX station. Feeling that slap-on-the-back-at-a-distance that >>> says: >>>>>> >>>>>> "We hear you." >>>>>> >>>>>> * * * >>>>>> >>>>>> You can, of course, partake of this experience yourself. >>>>>> >>>>>> Whether you do or not, though: Please consider listening for those >> who >>> do. >>>>>> Formal activations are announced in advance. See for example: >>>>>> >>>>>> https://www.sota.org.uk/ >>>>>> >>>>>> The band segments used are very small, or even a single frequency, >>> making >>>>>> it easy to monitor them while you engage in other activity around the >>> shack >>>>>> or on the air. You can use SOTA spotting websites, or just keep a >>> receiver >>>>>> on one of the watering holes. (The Elecraft K3/K3S/KX2/KX3 make this >>> easy, >>>>>> with built-in scanning. You can set the rig up for either muted or >> live >>>>>> audio scans, the latter making it easier to hear weak signals when >>> they pop >>>>>> up.) >>>>>> >>>>>> One final thought. In this pandemic era, some of us have had more >> time >>> to >>>>>> get on the air, and some of us have had more chance to get outside. >>>>>> >>>>>> Let's do both. At the same time. >>>>>> >>>>>> 73, >>>>>> Wayne >>>>>> N6KR >>>>>> >>>>>> >>> >>> >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[email protected] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
